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10 Takeaways after Re-Watching the 2012 MBC GAYO DAEJUN

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123112_mbc_gayodaejunDuring this lull in new K-pop releases, I decided to go back and watch 2012’s MBC Gayo Daejun – the end-of-year extravaganza that ushered in 2013. Not only was it a euphoric time capsule of excellent music and stunning performances, but it brought to mind many thoughts after twelve years of K-pop fandom.

Here were my top ten takeaways (in no particular order), along with many video highlights from the show.

1. Idols were singing

Yes, I’m aware that you don’t have to be belting your lungs out to be a good singer and that there are many ways to express with your voice, but my number one takeaway after watching this festival was that nearly every single idol act was singing as if their life depended on it. Power note after power note after power note – even from the groups I didn’t expect! I know virtuosic vocal skill isn’t treasured the way it used to be, but I miss this very much. I could feel passion radiating out of the screen.

2. Music was very upbeat

We were clearly in the throes of the EDM pop revolution. Many acts included DJs as part of their performance, but even the non-remixed tracks were underpinned by thumping dance beats. Song after song, the show felt like a real party with bangers and bombast to spare. “Chill” was definitely not a thing. Neither were “vibes.”

Also, “the robot” was apparently considered a cool dance move this year…

3. The style was “everything at once”

It’s as if the artists raided every Forever 21 and Claire’s in sight and threw everything on at once. It didn’t matter if it matched or not. In fact, it was better if it didn’t! And when idols weren’t dressed in neon and noisy patterns, they borrowed the militaristic theatricality of Michael Jackson. My favorite look was 100%’s – especially the streamers hanging from the arms!

4. And the pants were very tight

So tight.

5. Some huge 2012 groups haven’t maintained their legacy in ways that others have

Groups like MBLAQ and Secret were very big in 2012 and the audience reaction bore that out. However, for multiple reasons it feels like they’re not mentioned in the conversation much any more. Sometimes I forget how awesome these acts are.

6. The K-pop ecosystem was still small

Today’s year-end festivals are often splintered between agencies, with some corporations preferring to withhold their roster so that they can appear at their own concerts. Nearly every big artist was present for 2012’s show, from YG to SM to JYP and everyone in between. It’s fun to see all these second-gen legends together.

7. Everyone looked so young…

I mean… duh. That’s how time and aging works. But it was still jarring to see groups like Beast and BTOB and B1A4 looking like rookie kids. It’s amazing what they were able to achieve at that age and watching them grow into adults has been very satisfying.

8. …but JYP has always looked the same

I’ve decided he’s one of those people who looked old when he was young and looks young when he’s old. I don’t know how that’s possible, but it’s true.

9. We’ve lost too many idols from this second generation

Seriously. With groups like SHINee, Kara, f(x) and 100% appearing in this festival, it’s sobering to reflect on how many young talents we’ve lost far too soon.

10. 2012 was one hell of a year for pop music

It’s no coincidence that half of my top ten all-time K-pop songs were released in 2012. Almost all were performed on this broadcast, including The Chaser, Sherlock and Catch Me. But beyond so many legendary songs, the overall consistency was also high. You just knew that 90% of everything released would be awesome. That’s kind of incredible when you think about it.

20 thoughts on “10 Takeaways after Re-Watching the 2012 MBC GAYO DAEJUN”

  1. One thing I’d like to add is that back then k-pop felt like a community. The idols we’re friends and not afraid to interact with each other. Nowadays i feel like idols, specially if they’re from opposite sex, are afraid of any kind of interaction because their fans.

    And there’s also why i feel like they act like robots at these events. A few days ago I watched old MAMA performances and everyone was dancing and having a great time

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    • Strong agree on your post – I think it ties into Nick’s sixth point about the k-pop ecosystem still being small at the time. Also the fact that idols basically had to go on cable variety shows to show off their personalities, which often meant rubbing shoulders with peers from other groups. It still happens today, but definitely less frequently now that agencies can just shoot their own variety shows entirely focused on a single group and keep them in a controlled environment.

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  2. Man the end-of-year shows over the past decade are ICONIC. These artists know how to put on an amazing show.

    BTW Nick speaking of second gen, I’m curious to hear your thoughts on Key’s Highlight Medley:

    I would also love to hear your thoughts on some of the Western songs released last Friday (I know you mentioned about The Weeknd’s on twt):

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  3. As the resident old person shouting at clouds, I second all of the above.

    Especially the one about fashion choices. It was so random, and strangely glorious in the randomness. “Random” as my kids would use it. Underthinking it and just going with it. There were no French fashion houses sponsoring anyone.

    Especially doubly on the live singing. When shows are lipsynced or have heavy technology assisted tuning, there is a veil that comes between the performer and the audience. The performers have one less tool to engage with the audience, and frequently get away with robotic repetition of the dance moves. Let us not forget they are or claim to be Musicians. Its about the Music first.

    Audio is so important in art. When a actor takes on a role, the first thing they work on is the sound of the voice. Its not the look and feel – because the costume and make up people are in control of that. Its the voice. (quick, do your best Darth Vader.) Same with musicians. When we think of Michael Jackson today, sure there were the novel dance moves and styling. But its the high whoo hoo whooping, the sharp percussive and vocal tics, the boyish transformation in the ballads. That is what gets played and replayed.

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  5. Just some time ago I was complaining how the pants nowadays are too baggy🤣. Not that I miss those horribly uncomfortable skinny jeans on me, but why do I feel the need for those same tight pants on dancers again lmao.

    On the vocals tho, here I am on a two week spiral of listening to everything Day6 had ever released again and realising how much they just…spoiled me over the years, to being unable to settle for anything much less than that

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  7. A lot of groups are becoming afraid of high notes because they don’t have a top tier vocalist in their roster, and it’s just sad. It would be wonderful to have an A-List group absolutely stacked with jaw dropping talent a la TVXQ, BTOB, etc in the current gen, but it feels like a miracle just to have one extremely capable vocalist per group.

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    • Or maybe my bigger problem is that even for the groups with multiple singers capable of hitting stratospheric notes given the right material, they are instead given sing-talk hip hop Sheesh Sheesh Smoothie Smoothie. The songs are getting in the way of stabbing talent…

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